Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-19
A RALEIGH STRIKE.
ANOTHER gxcIrEMsNrIsrHs NORTH
STAIR CAPITAL.
Large Fires In the Pine Forests Killed
by Lighhing-The Psniten.
tiary Revolt.
Especial Telegram 70 Tho Dispatch. J


morning about 10 O'Clock two gangs OF
laborers, which were laying mains at
the vster-works, near the city, struck
for an increase Of wages. They march
cd into the city in body and urged
the men az work laying the mains IN the
streets 20 JON them in the strike. The
latter at first refused. but finally went
out, and work was stopped. The men de-
handed dollar day, the rate of pay
being now eighty cents The strike
caused some excitement
II is claimed that very few of the
strikers are Knights. They sent for
Congressman John Nichols, master
workman OF that order, and Labor
Commissioner Jones 70 address them.
Nichols plainly told them that he con-
sidered The strike impolitic, improper,
and i'll advised. He said that the con
tractor of the works was not here, and
that they should wait until his return.
Commissioner Jones spoke in the same
vein. The strikers then decided that
enough men should go to work in the
streets tomorrow 10 have no delay and
TO await Contractor Moore's return be-
fore proceeding further.
Large fires are reported in the pine
forests in Richmond county, near the
town Of Rockingham Much valuable
tuTpentine timber has been destroyed
and much fencing. The loss is proba-
bly, g., 600 OF $1,000. The fire at one
time threatened the town of Hamlet
Near Pikcvillc. Wayne county, Tay-
Tor Fatman and his family, consisting OF
wife, daughter, and two sons, were
seated in Their dwelling when terrible
Thunderstorm swept over it, A bolt OF
lightning struck she house, setting 1t on
FIRE and throwing the inmates in all
directions Mrs tatman and her son
John, aged thirteen years, returned first
TO consciousness. The son, with rare
presence of mind, eXtinguished the fire.
II was found that the lightning had
killed Eatman and u seven-year-old son,
who had been seated near window.
The barn was found TO be on fire, but
the brave boy mn there and saved a
mule and buggy. The barn, with
forage, goats, and hogs, was destroyed
THR MUIISY AT TBB PEEITENTIABY.
Raleigh people hope that they may
never again have TO undergo the expe
riences of Saturday night and Sunday
morning. The mutiny of the convicts
was something quite out of the common
and caused an Unprecedented sensa-
ton. The full account of the whole
affair is as follows: During the day
Saturday James Davis, negro con-
wet from Wilmington, was insubOrdi-
nate, and was ordered 10 go to the dark
cells lie did not go. but concealed
himself. Late in the afternoon he was
found and ordered to the cells by De-
puty-Warden Fleming. Davis declined
10 90 and seized stick, with which he
struck at Fleming The latter wrcsted
the stick from him and struck him seve-
raj blows. A little later the cOnyicts,
who are about 21j III number, were
marched from supper INTO their cell
blocks. Davis was ordered into room
next To the warden's room. He became
very violent, and drawing knife said
ne would not 90 to the dark cells that
he would die first, and that he would as
soon or rather die than live anyway.
Warden Hicks, very determined
man, told Davis he must give up the
knife and obey orders, or that the knife
would be taken away by force. Davis was
still Obduratc. Thereupon Warden
Hicks ordered two overseers to take the
knife They advanced with wooden
clubs in their hands. One struck Davis
a blow upon the wrist, but not severe
enough to cause him to drop the knife.
Davis raised the knife near his head, in
the act TO strike, when another blow
was given him, and, striking his hand
and head, il made u rather deep wound
and felled him. Some negro conWcts
saw this and cried out that Davis was
killed. This news spread like flash,
and in a tTiCe the cOnVlctS were mob.
Their appearance was very threatening
The wounded man was taken to the
penitentiary and the Overseers ran to
the guard-rOom after rifles. The con-
victs were ordered into their cells, but
they refused to go. Presently about
half entered. An alarm was sent to
the city for troops and police and the
Iiot-aarm was given, causing the Wild
est excitement. The Governors Guard
double auicked all the way to the peni-
tentiary, which is in the suburbs. Hun
drcds Of citizens also went to the scene
of disturbance. The cOnylctS were
shouting and curSing and the scene was
terrible The troops went in the build
ing. and were barely inside when some
thing occurred which gave great trou-
ble.
II DARKNESS.
The went out and the place was
i'll darkness. The city gas-works fur
nisl the penitcutiary. The officers OF
the penitentiary thought that in some
way the convicts had gained access to
the pipes and cut them. The convicts
thought the lights had been extin-
euishcd so that they might be shot IN
the dark. The cOnUcts were by tins
time in the cell corridors huddled to-
Qeiher. Tie number who refused to
enter the cells WAS by this time reduced
to about sixty -five-all negroes. These
said they would die before they would
enter the cells. They feared that they
would he punished for their mutiny.
They were closely watched until mid
night. when the gas was again turned
on. The stoppage OF pipe at the
works had caused the trouble. In the
city, mean while, there was even greater
excitement at the darkness. There
were wild runors that persons outside
were in collision with the convicts, and
had planned Tor All escape and u row in
the CITY. There were rumors that
fifty convicts had escaped, that troops
were firing, &c. Many persons never
closed their eyes all night long. No
further attempt was made during the
night 10 make the convicts enter.
While the gas was extinguished the
convicts, maddened by fear, dug up a
large space of the brick flooring of the
lower corridor. They had evidently
had these bricks in their hands. Many
of the conyicts had knives, which they
exhibited, yet they made no overt act;
did not throw brick or make any at
tempt at escape or attack. Had they
dopc so ti,a trOOpS md guards would